Nungeena Women's Day - Metro North Health
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Talk-About
The official newsletter of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Leadership Team June 2022
Nungeena Women’s Day
Ngarrama Maternity Service enjoying the day at Nungeena with Aunty Minnie Mace
The strong women working within the Metro The women were blessed with a day out at Nungeena Aboriginal
North Health Ngarrama Maternity Service Corporation For Women’s Business on Gubbi Gubbi Country at the
Glass House Mountains where they visited the sacred birthing tree
are passionate about providing a culturally
and fertility pond. Nungeena is located close to Mount Beerwah,
supportive and safe service to Aboriginal and the mother mountain of the Glass House Mountain group and the
Torres Strait Islander mums, bubs, dads and sacred historical birthing sites of Aboriginal people.
families during their pregnancy journey. Everyone in attendance felt a strong spiritual connection while
standing on such a significant sacred site. It inspired them to
With new staff members joining the service, a cultural
share their own personal stories and experiences while working
grounding day was organised to connect with country,
with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families in such a
each other, as well as learn and experience local women’s
special time of their lives.
business and birthing culture to assist and support them in
their everyday roles. “Listening to women speak and share in a safe space is magical,”
said Jodi Dyer, Senior Project Officer of the Strong Start to Life
Staff within the program include Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Program.
Islander women and non-Indigenous women from various
professions including midwives, health workers, dieticians, “My highlight of the day was when we sat in a circle and every
social workers, and project officers, all working together to person took a turn to share a story using the speaking stick.”
provide the best possible support and holistic healthcare for
families throughout their pregnancy journey. Continued page 4>
Give us Contact information
feedback Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital
We welcome your feedback, Indigenous Hospital Liaison Officer Ph: 3646 4154 / 0408 472 385
contributions, story ideas and details
on any upcoming events. Please contact After hours Ph: 3646 5106 / 0408 472 385
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander The Prince Charles Hospital
Leadership Team at
A_TSIHU_MNHHS@health.qld.gov.au Indigenous Hospital Liaison Officer Ph: 3139 5165 / 0436 690 306
or phone (07) 3139 3231. After Hours Ph: 3139 6429 / 0429 897 982
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Redcliffe Hospital
Leadership Team
Indigenous Hospital Liaison Officer Ph: 3049 6791
If you have any feedback regarding the
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander After Hours Ph: 3049 9734
Leadership Team services, programs and
initiatives, you can contact the following: Caboolture/Kilcoy Hospital
Mail to: Indigenous Hospital Liaison Office Ph: 5433 8249
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander After Hours Ph: 5316 5481
Leadership Team, Building 26, Chermside Surgical, Treatment and Rehabilitation Service (STARS):
Community Health Centre, 490 Hamilton
Road, Chermside QLD 4032. Indigenous Hospital Liaison Office Ph: 3647 6044
Email to: Community Indigenous Primary Health Team
A_TSIHU_MNHHS@health.qld.gov.au Indigenous Community Health Team Ph: 3631 7379
Alternatively, call and ask for our Safety
Indigenous Sexual Health Team
and Quality Officer on 3647 9531.
Clinical Nurse Consultant Ph: 3631 7379
Metro North Hospital and Health Service
Indigenous Mental Health
would like to acknowledge the Traditional
Owners and custodians of the land on Professional Lead Ph: 3646 2695
which our services are located.
Ngarrama Maternity Services
We pay our respects to all Elders past,
present and future and acknowledge Caboolture Ph: 0439 732 970
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
peoples across the state. Redcliffe Ph: 0407 251 890
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital Ph: 0428 404 875
readers are warned that this publication Forensic Mental Health Service, Indigenous Mental Health Intervention Program
may contain images or names of people
who have passed away. Forensic Mental Health Team Ph: 3234 0800
Follow us @BetterTogetherHealthVan
What’s inside June 2022
COVER Visit to Jinibara Nation ....................................................... 8
Nungeena Women’s Day Building Cultural Connections ............................................ 8
Contact information............................................................ 2
IN FOCUS
Executive Director’s Message............................................. 3
RBWH engages student artists to create custom works .....10
A word from the Chief Executive......................................... 4
Health Equity Strategy workshop and update .................... 11
OUT AND ABOUT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Showcase.......13
TPCH artwork shirt launch .................................................. 5
STARS Close the Gap Day cultural activities ........................ 5 WORD OF THE MONTH............................................................ 17
Ngarrama Community Event ............................................... 6 STAFF FEATURE
Out and about with Community .......................................... 7 Tess Symes .......................................................................... 17
Page 2
A word from the Executive Director
At the showcase, both Haylene and I If you would like to learn more about
had the honour of recognising the leads our health equity journey, I encourage
and executive sponsors and supporting you to visit our website for the most
staff for their outstanding commitment up to date information -
and leadership of the health equity https://metronorth.health.qld.gov.
agenda across Metro North Health. au/health-equity
Congratulations to the following staff
During May we recognised Heart
who received a ‘Deadly Award’:
Week and the importance for our
• Metro North Health Chief Executive, mob to pay attention to their heart
Jackie Hanson health by booking a 20-minute Heart
Health Check with their local GP.
KPA1 (Actively eliminating Many people have overlooked their
racial discrimination and health during the pandemic and
institutional racism within heart checks reached a record low.
the service) Heart Health Checks are currently
• Kirsty Leo, working group lead subsidised through Medicare and
• Ricko Abednego, working allow Aboriginal and Torres Strait
group lead Islander people aged 30+ to access
• Professor Peter Hopkins, a heart check through a GP. Those in
Sherry Holzapfel
executive sponsor the high-risk categories, including
Executive Director,
• Kumar Pasupathi, support / scribe our community, are encouraged to
Aboriginal and Torres
act now.
Strait Islander Health
Finally, plans are well underway
KPA2 (Increasing access to
for our virtual NAIDOC Week (3-
healthcare services)
Last month we had the 10 July 2022) celebration. This
• Christopher Henaway, will be our third year delivering a
opportunity to host our annual working group range of informative, engaging and
Aboriginal and Torres Strait • Dr Sean Clark, executive sponsor educational films to our staff, patients
Islander Health Showcase • Zarina Khan, support / scribe and broader community on our
at the Royal Brisbane and diverse cultures. This year’s theme,
Women’s Hospital, for Get Up! Stand Up! Show Up! reminds
KPA 3 (Delivering us of the need for systemic change
Queensland Health Deputy- sustainable, culturally safe
Director General and and to keep rallying around our mob,
and responsive healthcare
our Elders, our communities.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait services)
Islander Chief Health Officer • Penny Dale, working group lead Until next time, stay safe and deadly.
Haylene Grogan, and the • Helen Boocock, executive sponsor
Metro North Health Board and • Madelyn Wells, support / scribe Sherry Holzapfel
Executive Leadership team. Executive Director, Aboriginal and
KPA4 (Influencing the Torres Strait Islander Health
The showcase is an opportunity
social, cultural and
for staff within Metro North Health,
economic determinants
and collaborative partners, to of health)
provide an overview and update of
their initiatives in improving health • Natasha White, working group lead
outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres • Gillian Nasato, executive sponsor
Strait Islander peoples. • Mini Tyagi, support / scribe
Presentations included the Caboolture
Hospital redevelopment project and KPA 5 (Working with
Elders engagement, an overview of Aboriginal and Torres
The Research Alliance for Urban Goori Strait Islander peoples,
Health, the success of the Women’s communities, and
Business Pathway, and a program organisations to design,
focused on supported discharge for deliver, monitor and review health
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander services)
patients. I encourage you to learn • Paul Drahm, working group lead
more about these initiatives on • Louise Oriti, executive sponsor
pages 13 to 15. • Christine Petrie, support / scribe
Page 3
A word from the Chief Executive
Metro North has done considerable Metro North has already made an
consultation around our first early commitment to ensure no
Health Equity Strategy. The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
strategy addresses five Key patients waiting longer than clinically
Performance Areas: recommended for outpatient
appointments and elective surgeries
• Eliminate racism – actively
and procedures.
eliminating racial discrimination
and institutional racism within Across Metro North we continue to
the service develop local Reconciliation Action
Plans. Most recently, Royal Brisbane
• Access – increasing access to
and Women’s Hospital launched its
healthcare services
first RAP during Reconciliation Week.
• Culturally safe and responsive
Metro North has also partnered with
system – delivering sustainable,
The University of Queensland and
Jackie Hanson culturally safe and responsive
the Institute of Urban Indigenous
Chief Executive healthcare services
Health for the Research Alliance
Metro North Health
• Social determinants of health – for Urban Goori Health (RAUGH).
influence the social, cultural and RAUGH is an Australian first alliance
economic determinants of health which will accelerate Australia’s
progress towards closing the gap in
• Working with Aboriginal and Torres
life expectancy for urban Indigenous
Strait Islander peoples – Working
communities by ensuring the whole-
with Aboriginal and Torres Strait
of-health care system is responsive
Islander peoples, communities,
to the health and wellbeing needs of
and organisations to design,
Indigenous peoples.
deliver, monitor and review
health services I look forward to updating you on the
progress of these initiatives and our
The strategy will be launched on 4
journey towards health equity across
July during NAIDOC Week. Already
Metro North Health.
we have delivered a series of
executive and manager workshops Regards,
to familiarise staff with the health
Jackie.
equity agenda and the real world
challenges Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander people experience
when seeking healthcare.
Continued from page 1 >
All staff had the opportunity to listen Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital,
and yarn with local Elder Aunty Minnie Caboolture or Redcliffe Hospitals. They Ngarrama Maternity
Mace and share in some special ensure all families receive culturally
story telling. centred care and access to supportive
Services:
“Having an Elder speak and answer
services such as physiotherapy, Royals Brisbane and
dieticians, and lots more. Women’s Hospital:
questions makes it even more special,
and gives staff the awareness on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander 0408 404 875
when looking after our families, the families can access the Ngarrama
importance of cultural safety,” said Tara Maternity Service through a GP Redcliffe Hospital:
Denaro, Clinical Nurse Consultant of the referral. Just ask your GP to refer you 0407 251 890
Strong Start to Life Program. to Ngarrama Maternity Service at your
Ngarrama, meaning ‘Guardian Birth
local Metro North Health Hospital. Caboolture Hospital:
Ngarrama does accept self-referrals 07 5433 8888
Spirit’ is a maternity service available
but GP referral is preferred. You can
to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait
contact your local Ngarrama team on
Islander families in their pregnancy
the following numbers.
journey who choose to birth at the
Page 4
OUTandABOUT
TPCH artwork shirt launch
Next time you
attend The Prince
Charles Hospital
(TPCH) keep your
eyes out for the
amazing new staff
shirts. These staff
shirts, featuring the
beautiful artwork
created by talented
Aboriginal artist
Elaine Chambers-
Hegarty, are worn
proudly by staff
throughout the
hospital to show
their dedication and
support in creating
a culturally safe
and comfortable
environment for
Aboriginal and
Torres Strait
Islander people
attending TPCH.
(L-R) Sam Tochterman-Talbott, IHLO and Hannah Wilshire, Executive Services wearing the new TPCH staff shirt
STARS Close STARS Close the Gap Day quiz
winners, Kim Minniecon STARS
the Gap Day Patient Experience and Consumer
Liaison, and Medical Contracts
cultural activities Administrator, Amecka-Jane Evans,
received a Better Together polo shirt
The Surgical, Treatment for their efforts and contribution,
and Rehabilitation Service which features the stunning artwork
by Aboriginal artist Elaine Chambers-
(STARS) held a staff quiz on Hegarty.
Close the Gap Day (17 March)
The STARS Cultural Event Working
as an opportunity to share
Group and Reconciliation Action Plan
information and to take (RAP) Working Group are continuing
meaningful action in support to work hard to engage, educate and
of achieving health equity for support staff on the importance of
Aboriginal and Torres Strait closing the gap in health outcomes and
Islander people. achieving health equity for Aboriginal
and Torres Strait Islander people.
Page 5
OUTandABOUT
Ngarrama
Community Event
On Thursday 7 April, staff from
the Metro North Health Strong
Start to Life team held a
community engagement
day at Sandgate Town
Hall alongside Ngarrama
Maternity Services
staff members, to
provide community
members with the
opportunity to share
their Ngarrama
experiences with one
another, and ideas
and suggestions as
to how the Ngarrama
Maternity Service can
be improved.
Elders, mothers,
families, and women of
the Ngarrama service attended the
community engagement day and joined
in on an informal yarn around smoking
cessation and the importance of
attending antenatal visits during
pregnancy.
Jarjums who attended the day
were highly entertained with toys,
books and keeping mum on her
toes. There were even fun art
activities for the adults to express
their creativity whilst connecting to
culture, by adding their own artistic
touch to a large painting created
by Clinical Nurse Consultant and
Mununjali woman Tara Denaro.
The community engagement day provided
a safe place for all attendees to come
along and have a yarn, which allowed the
Strong Start to Life Team to gather lots of
great information and suggestions that will
contribute to improving the Metro North
Health Ngarrama Maternity Service and
ensure the service meets the needs of our
community.
Page 6
OUTandABOUT
Out and about with community
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander each stallholder a member of the
Islander community love the health staff jumped at the chance to Moreton Bay Murri Network, providing
attend and get back out to connect an opportunity to network with
opportunity get together for
with community. other local community groups and
a yarn, but regrettably the businesses, and check out the great
COVID-19 pandemic put a hold The Expo, held in May at Morayfield,
initiatives happening for Aboriginal
gave the team a chance to get out,
on a lot of community events. meet with local community, showcase
and Torres Strait Islander people in
the Moreton Bay region.
the great initiatives happening
Fortunately, with everyday life getting
within Metro North Health, enjoy Everyone had a great day and even
back to resembling some form of
the activities and just have a well a few lucky staff members won NRL
normality, events are starting to
overdue yarn with everyone. The team footy tickets as part of the events
happen again.
saw many new faces as well as old, Reconciliation competition.
With the first ever Murri Expo recently and as every community event goes,
held in Moreton Bay by the Moreton running into family they hadn’t seen
Bay Murri Network, the Metro North in a long time. There were a variety
Better Together Health Van team and of 36 stalls in attendance on the day,
Page 7
OUTandABOUT
Visit to Jinibara Nation
Caboolture, Kilcoy and
Woodford (CKW) Reconciliation
Action Plan (RAP) Committee
members Rachel Bailey and
Erin Flynn recently visited
Jinibara Country with Elder shared an audio
Reconciliation
Aunty Jacque Kina. recording of her
Action Plan.
Grandfather Gairabau
Aunty Jacque, who has strong family telling stories and singing songs. Speaking with Aunty Jacque
connections to Jinibara Nation and a has provided an opportunity for Rachel
“I value the cultural knowledge and
deep understanding of her culture, and Erin to reflect and gain further
ways of knowing and doing that
delivered a traditional Jinibara welcome insight into local culture and give
Aunty Jacque shared of Grandfather
before sharing stories with Rachel and further meaning to the importance of
Gairabau. He could speak 10
Erin about her culture, family and the performing an Acknowledgement of
languages, which is amazing,” said
natural landscape. Country and recognising Elders past
Rachel.
and present.
“The highlight for me was to hear Aunty
The CKW RAP committee felt very
Jacque’s stories about her Grandfather Rachel will now think about
privileged to be part of this day with
Gairabau, she read a poem to us about Grandfather Gairabau and all the
Aunty Jacque and her son. They visited
her grandfather,” said Rachel. knowledge he had and shared
several culturally significant sites to
whenever she is participating in
Rachel and Erin felt a part of something capture some local Aboriginal stories
Acknowledgement of Country.
special, especially when Aunty Jacque that will be woven throughout the CKW
Building Cultural
Connections
Metro North Chief Executive Jackie Hanson,
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health
Executive Director Sherry Holzapfel and staff
from the Metro North Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander Leadership Team had the privilege
of recently meeting with Aboriginal Elders Aunty
Maroochy Barambah and Aunty Denise Proud.
Aunty Maroochy is the Songwoman and Law-woman of the
Turrbal Tribe. She is of Turrbal and Gubbi Gubbi ancestry with
additional bloodline connections to Wakka Wakka, Kamilaroi
and Birri Gubba Country.
Aunty Denise Proud is a respected Aboriginal Elder who
was born and raised on Cherbourg. She has continued
to contribute to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
community and has had a long career committed to working (L-R) Chief Executive Jackie Hanson with Songwoman Aunty Maroochy, Aunty Denise
Proud and Executive Director Sherry Holzapfel
within the prisons delivering cultural and educational
programs.
“Our goal is to ensure all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
The meeting with Aunty Maroochy and Aunty Denise was part people accessing our health services receive high-quality
of a commitment to establish an ongoing relationship with person-centred care that is culturally responsive, empowers
the Traditional Owners across Metro North Health, spanning self-care and choice, and is designed to improve health and
from the Brisbane River to north of Kilcoy. wellbeing.
Metro North Health is committed to providing equity of “In this meeting we are reminded that we must build a
access to high quality health care services and building relationship with all in our communities, including services
relationships based on inclusion with Aboriginal and Torres and agencies,” said Acting Communications and Planning
Strait Islander people and their communities. Manager, Ricko Abednego.
Page 8
HEALTH EQUITY
Starts with Me
Let’s work together to create
health equity for our mob
“I commit to
ensuring we receive
equitable health
services for
our families.”
Aunty Denise Proud,
Aboriginal Elder
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
health is everyone’s business.
Visit our website https://metronorth.health.qld.gov.au/health-equity for further information
Be part of the conversation #ourhealthourway #forcommunity #BetterTogether -
https://www.facebook.com/BetterTogetherHealthVan
Metro North Health in partnership with
Page 9
IN FOCUS
RBWH engages
student artists
to create custom
works
The clinical spaces within the
Royal Brisbane and Women’s
Hospital (RBWH) Social Work
Services have received a
colourful overhaul, with the
addition of five specifically
created paintings by students
at the Aboriginal and Islander
Independent Community
School, affectionately known as
the ‘Murri School’.
The Acacia Ridge based high school’s
best and emerging student artists
were mentored by local professional
Aboriginal artist Colleen Sam while
creating the custom designed
artworks, based on community, family,
and healing themes.
Director of Social Work Services Angela
O’Malia said, “Art plays an important
role in the social work experience, and
it is exciting to have the new works
on-site.
RBWH Director of Social Work Services Angela O’Malia and Cultural Capability Officer Geoff Binge welcoming the new
“The idea to engage with the Murri artwork to the Social Work Services.
School was born out of a chat with
our Indigenous Social Work Cadet Jeff “The beauty of these “I dedicate this painting to
Locke, who had strong connections
with the school, and suggested
paintings is that they tell my big sister and my mum,
we work together to create some a story - so if our patients as they each have lost a
specialised patient support artwork for
display at our service.
can connect with artwork baby. I want them and other
“Jeff engaged the school and our
spiritually or emotionally, mothers to know that it is
department, and introduced the artist that can be very ‘okay to not be okay’ and
to work closely with, and mentor the
students to bring the artwork to life.”
empowering.” I believe the babies are
Social Work Services have been RBWH Cultural Capability Officer, always with us and looking
considering ways to add to the cultural Geoff Binge, commended Social Work over us,”
safety of their services and the Services for following through with
Brooklyn said.
culturally designed artwork will add to this great initiative to increase patient
the ‘feel safe and engage’ approach. confidence and trust in our services The newly acquired artwork is proudly
through an increase in cultural safety. displayed in the Social Work Services
“Art is a great medium and assists to
areas and in clinics throughout RBWH.
put patients at ease and it can give Grade 9 student Brooklyn created the
them something else to focus on, artwork “Women’s Healing” alongside
making them feel more relaxed and her classmate Jacqueline, touching on
comfortable while they are here,” women’s sacred role as mothers.
Angela said.
Page 10IN FOCUS
Health Equity Strategy workshop and update
Metro North Health held its third Health Equity workshop in April which provided Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander staff, Metro North Health Executive staff, partnering organisations, Aboriginal
and Torres Strait Islander Elders and community members with the opportunity to continue the
conversation and provide their feedback on the draft Metro North Health Equity Strategy.
Enjoyed by over 100 attendees, the day was an
opportunity to come together again, and to share
feedback and suggestions in response to the actions
aligned to the five key performance areas within our
Health Equity Strategy. Personal stories of strength,
courage, and adversity, which will help shape our
strategy, were shared bravely by attendees during
multiple breakout sessions led by the Health Equity Leads
within Metro North Health.
Those who attended the workshop were treated to
the premiere of our bold new health equity campaign,
Health Equity Starts with Me. The campaign features
a commitment made by midwives, doctors, security
officers, administration staff, health executives and
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander consumers, many of
whom were in attendance on the day.
Seeing Metro North Health Senior Executive staff sitting
alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders and
community members on the day was a true testament
to Metro North Health’s commitment to closing the gap
and achieving health equity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander people. This gave community confidence that their
voices were being heard at a high level, and that their voices,
presence and lived experiences were valued.
The day ended on a high, with the draft Metro North Health
Equity Strategy receiving fantastic praise from community
members, reassuring us that we are on the right track. As
we continue the journey of developing our very first, Metro
North Health Equity Strategy, we will continue to look to our
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders and community
members to ensure that the document we produce reflects
the time, energy, wisdom, and knowledge they have so kindly
shared us with, and ultimately that our strategy meets their
needs and expectations.
Page 112022
NA I D O C
VIR T U A L
EV E N T
Join us in a virtual
celebration to celebrate
National NAIDOC Week 2022
(3 – 10 July) across Metro North Health.
Learn about the history, culture and NAIDOC 2022 encourages the nation to Get Up,
achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Stand Up and Show up for systemic change and
Strait Islander people through a diverse and to continue rallying for Aboriginal and Torres
exciting schedule of films with First Nation Strait Islander people. This year reminds us to
businesses and Aboriginal and Torres Strait celebrate the many heroes and champions who
Islander Elders as we celebrate the national have driven and led change in our communities
NAIDOC theme – Get Up, Stand Up, Show Up. over generations.
HOW TO ACCESS
The films will be published daily throughout NAIDOC
Week for everyone to enjoy and accessible via our
website and facebook page:
THE FILMS metronorth.health.qld.gov.au/bettertogether-van
www.facebook.com/BetterTogetherHealthVan
Page 12IN FOCUS
Aboriginal and Better Together
Medication Access
Morayfield Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander Community Health Clinic. The
Torres Strait The Better Together Medication Access
Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital
delivers gynaecology surgery access.
Islander Health (BTMA) program is a co-payment
subsidy program launched in October The Metro North Health service
Showcase 2020 to provide identified Aboriginal
and Torres Strait Islander patients with
includes a multidisciplinary team
inclusive of a Gynaecologist,
access to discharge medication from Gynaecologist Nurse (Identified),
On May 16 2022, Metro North Administration Officer (Identified),
the hospital pharmacy.
Board Members, Executives Physiotherapist and Dietitian.
and the Aboriginal and Torres Patients that identify as Aboriginal
and/or Torres Strait Islander origin Since the service commenced in 2020,
Strait Islander Leadership Team there have been 1,000 outpatient
upon admission to a Metro North
gathered with Deputy-Director appointments with a failure to attend
Hospital are given the choice to opt-in
General and Chief Aboriginal to the BTMA program. If they do so, the rate of only 10% for gynaecology
and Torres Strait Islander discharge medication script is taken to and 18% for allied health. This is a
Health Officer Haylene Grogan a Metro North Health pharmacy and the significant improvement of previous
medication is supplied to the patient failure to attend rates of 51% for
to celebrate the programs
with no out of pocket cost. physiotherapy and 31% for dietetics
and initiatives contributing to prior to the pathway being introduced.
improved health outcomes for The project was co-designed with
pharmacy services, Aboriginal and There are plans to expand the program
Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Torres Strait Islander Leadership including attaching an Aboriginal
Islander peoples across Metro and Torres Strait Islander Program
Team, Indigenous Hospital Liaison
North Health. Manager and Health Worker role to the
officers, IT teams, and communications
and engagement, executive, finance service, and more clinics delivered
Read on for a summary of the and governance teams across Metro in partnership with IUIH clinics in the
presentations. North Health. Margate and Deception Bay areas.
Since the program commenced, 11,000
consumers have been offered BTMA Moving to supported discharge
and 7,400 medications supplied.
In 2020, the Australian Commission
Assistant Director of Pharmacy at on Safety and Quality in Health Care
Redcliffe Hospital Ann Whitaker said (ACSQHC) commissioned a systematic
the program has helped reduce the literature review - Understanding leave
financial burden on Aboriginal and events for Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Torres Strait Islander patients and Islander peoples and other Australians
ensures medication is available from health service organisations.
on discharge.
One of the key recommendations was
“The program has also allowed Metro to develop a culturally appropriate
North Health to improve cultural discharge model of care for Aboriginal
capability and staff relationships, links and Torres Strait Islander people in
to services upon discharge and created collaboration with Aboriginal and
future collaboration opportunities,” Torres Strait Islander communities to
Ann said. enable appropriate healthcare in their
community.
Women’s Business Pathway Localised Metro North Health data
showed the need to address early
The Women’s Business Pathway is a discharge with Aboriginal and Torres
shared service model between Metro Strait Islander patients who choose to
North Health and the Institute for Urban discharge early is three times higher
Indigenous Health (IUIH) providing (3.25%) compared to the number
culturally appropriate gynaecology and of non-Aboriginal and Torres Strait
specialist perinatal care to women who Islander people who discharge early at
identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres (1.17%).
Strait Islander origin.
The journey commenced two years ago,
Outpatient clinics are delivered at with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Nundah Community Health Centre and Islander Leadership Team (A&TSILT)
Page 13IN FOCUS
guiding the project through a cultural the redevelopment to create a new capabilities and capacity within the
lens and to develop true co-design to modern healthcare facility is the health care system.
ensure better outcomes for discharge refurbishment of existing spaces
UQ Poche Centre Director Professor
planning. including the Aboriginal and Torres
James Ward said RAUGH is well
Strait Islander Liaison Unit.
In November 2021, a workshop was placed to support Metro North
held with Aboriginal and Torres Strait As part of the project, consultation Health in achieving the objectives
Islander nurse navigators, working and engagement has been undertaken of the Metro North Health Equity
groups and clinicians to genuinely with Traditional Owners, Elders and strategy to generate evidence-
co-design a new way of discharge the community to ensure all voices base to inform new models of care,
planning. have been heard during the design programs and services and evaluate
and build phase of the project. the effectiveness of existing shared
“What we came up with was a
services, programs and initiatives.
different approach to move towards “Our initial focus was to consult
‘Discharge with Support’,” said Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander “RAUGH will support Metro North
Michele Gardner, Executive Director staff to design the new Liaison Unit, and IUIH to provide evidence-based
of Metro North Clinical Governance, to make sure the space provided the outcomes to enable integrated and
Safety, Quality and Risk. right environment for our staff to culturally appropriate health care to
deliver culturally appropriate care and First Peoples of Queensland across
“We felt collectively the current
that they felt safe within that space,” the primary, secondary and tertiary
term ‘Discharge Against Medical
Senior Engagement Officer, Erin Flynn health care systems,” Professor Ward
Advice’ isn’t right and we would focus
said. said.
on follow-up and support for the
patient to ensure each cultural group “If staff have that feeling within
has their appropriate support and their work environment that will
vulnerable patients as well.” automatically come through to Health Equity engagement
their patients, visitors, carers and and co-design program
There are now plans in motion to
families.” As part of the development of the
introduce a ‘Discharge with Support’
policy and procedure across Metro As part of the engagement journey, Metro North Health Equity Strategy,
North Health to ensure all patients building contractor Lendlease a comprehensive engagement and
are involved in decision making, introduced a cultural awareness co-design program was developed to
aware of available treatment options session as part of the site induction. ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait
in the community, potential risks of Islander voices were front and centre.
“We thank redevelopment and
discharging early and follow-up from Metro North Health has hosted
Lendlease for listening and drawing
staff members. multiple workshops to engage and
the perspectives of the Aboriginal and
“Metro North is committed to ensuring Torres Strait Islander community,” consult with Aboriginal and Torres
a safe and culturally appropriate Cultural Capability Officer Elwyn Strait Islander community Elders,
process is in place to best manage Henaway said. community members, staff members
the process of patients who choose to and partners.
leave hospital before the completion Acting Communications and Planning
of treatment,” Michele said. RAUGH Manager and Lead for KPA 1 ‘Actively
The Research Alliance for Urban Goori eliminating racial discrimination
Health was established in 2021 to and institutional racism within the
Caboolture Hospital accelerate and transform Australia’s service’, Ricko Abednego said the
redevelopment progress towards closing the gap co-design journey ensured Aboriginal
in life expectancy for urban First and Torres Strait Islander people were
Caboolture is derived from words
Peoples in greater north Brisbane by at the decision-making table.
meaning place of the Kabul (carpet
snake) and is home of the Gubbi ensuring the whole-of-health care “We need our people to be more
Gubbi (also known as Kabi Kabi) system is responsive to the health and present in Metro North Health, in
peoples. First Nations people make wellbeing needs of First Peoples. particular with planning, as well with
up 3.7% of the Caboolture community, The Alliance is a partnership between our prescribed stakeholders,” Ricko
one of the highest populations of the the Institute for Urban Indigenous said.
Metro North service catchment. Health (IUIH), Metro North Health and “The main thing we have tried to do
The Queensland Government has the UQ Poche Centre for Indigenous with this process is have people be
committed $399.5 million to expand Health, and will lead world-class together, be able to contribute and all
Caboolture Hospital to include a research and evaluation, and perspectives considered to empower
5 storey clinical services building knowledge translation pursuits, each other.”
and a multi-storey car park. Part of alongside a focus on building research
The face-to-face engagement
Page 14IN FOCUS
program is supported with ongoing a connecting to country digital and plumbing placements, with an aim
opportunities for feedback and model, a culturally appropriate to expand the program in the future.
continuous service improvements exercise program for heart and lung
Previous Deadly Start trainee student
through the Metro North Health rehabilitation patients and a virtual
Kelise Beetson completed her nursing
Equity online yarning hub - https:// pulmonary rehabilitation program.
traineeship in June 2021 at Caboolture
metronorth.health.qld.gov.au/health-
Hospital Day Procedure Unit and is
equity/yarning-hub
looking forward to her future in health
Deadly Start care.
Deadly Start School Based Traineeship
The Prince Charles Hospital Program is now going into their
“I decided I wanted to go to university
Heart and Lung Stream during my Cert III training. The Deadly
fourth intake of students, with the Start program helped me get into
Professor Peter Hopkins, Executive pilot program commencing in 2019. university because I was not on an
Director of the Heart and Lung Stream, Over 40 Aboriginal and Torres Strait ATAR pathway. I am the first person
delivered a presentation around Islander year 11 students have joined on my dad’s side to go to uni. In the
collaboration with First Nations staff the 2022 Deadly Start program from future I am hoping to be a registered
and patients to provide guidance and various schools around Brisbane to nurse to give back to my community,”
direction with the initiatives from the undertake traineeships in various Kelise said.
Heart and Lung Stream. streams across Metro North Health
facilities, including Nursing, Allied Kelise is now on a university
A key measure was forming a First Health, Dental, Administration, Patient scholarship to complete her Bachelor
Nations Advisory Council, ‘Tago Support Services and Food Services. of Nursing whilst working with Metro
magul yadeni’ (Tamaya) which means The students will be placed throughout North Health as an Assistant in
‘Together the thinkers advance’ in The Royal Brisbane and Women’s Nursing at Caboolture Hospital.
the Turrbal language. The council is Hospital, The Prince Charles Hospital,
co-chaired by Professor Hopkins and “Deadly Start is deadly by giving
Redcliffe Hospital, Caboolture Hospital students a chance to grow and have
a patient, who meet regularly with the and Community and Oral Health
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander futures they may never thought have
facilities with the hope to increase the been possible,” said Kelise.
Leadership Team and working group Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
chairs to progress health initiatives. workforce in the future.
“The purpose of Tamaya is to be The next cohort of trainees will begin
the messengers and voices to the their placement in July 2022 after
Heart and Lung Stream, embedding completing their 6-month studies
health equity into their knowledges of Certificate II in Health Support
and practices by working with First Services. At the end of their 12-month
Nations peoples,” Professor Hopkins traineeship placement within Metro
said. North Health the students will gain
“When you have a person waiting their Certificate III qualification in their
for a long period of time on the wait chosen field with the support of the
list, and from looking at medical Deadly Start Team who are with the
literature, you increase the risk students every step of the way.
of disengagement. There is also This year will be the first year training
experience of institutional racism will be overseen within Metro North
from our patients and lack of case Health and not through a group
management, a lack of culturally training organisation which is an
appropriate care and issues regarding exciting opportunity and all students
transport and parking,” Professor will be onboarded as Metro North
Hopkins said. employees to complete their placement
“We want to eliminate waitlists all one day a week for 12 months as paid
together for First Nations patients employment within the health service.
and when the referral comes in, you As part of the Deadly Start and
see the patient. For our major tertiary Indigenous Cadetship program,
and quaternary hospitals, we are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
very close to achieving that goal for cadetships and apprenticeships are
First Nations patients on waitlists in offered in allied health, nursing and
respiratory medicine.” trade services. Two apprentices are
Other exciting developments included currently completing their electrical
Page 15Page 16
STAFF PROFILE
WORD
OF THE MONTH
“Bulualum” A Day in the Life of:
Theresa (Tess)
is Pelican in Symes
Turrbal/Turubul Assistant Director of
language. Nursing, Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander
Turrbal is the name of the
Leadership Team
language spoken in the
Brisbane area north to the Q1. Who is your mob and where are Q4. Who or what inspired you to
Sunshine Coast. you from? pursue a career in health?
I am a Torres Strait and South Sea My career in health started 15 years
Islander woman with local family ago in Aged Care and since then I
connection to the Sunshine Coast have continued study to go on and
region where I was born and continue complete a Bachelor of Nursing. I am
to live. passionate about working with our
mob in community and being able to
Q2. What is your role within Metro
increase access and improve services
North Health?
to ensure that we see changes that
I have recently commenced in my expand from our babies to our Elders.
new role as the Assistant Director
Q5. Why do think achieving Health
of Nursing within the Aboriginal and
Equity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Torres Strait Islander Leader Team.
Islander people is important?
Q3. How long have you worked in
Achieving health equity has
health, and what was your previous
been a long time coming for our
role?
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
Prior to coming into my current communities. Health equity means
position, I was in the permanent that there is going to be transparency
position of Aboriginal and Torres and our communities will have a
Strait Islander Nurse Navigator with voice that can be heard. It means that
the Sunshine Coast Hospital and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
Health Service, based out of Nambour people get to have input into how our
Hospital. In that role I worked across healthcare is being provided.
the whole of the Sunshine Coast and
In addition to this, it also provides
Gympie regions. From August last
cultural awareness education to
year until the end of February this
non-Indigenous staff and community
year, I was fortunate enough to be
members in understanding our
seconded to North Coast Aboriginal
cultures and walking alongside us
Corporation for Community Health
instead of trying to lead us.
(NCACCH) to project lead and manage
the opening of the new Aboriginal Q6. What do you like to do outside of
Medical Service in Gympie. work?
When I am not at work, I enjoy
spending time with my family
and being outdoors camping and
gardening.
Page 17COVID-19 vaccines
approved for children
aged 5 to 11 years
Children aged 5 to 11 are eligible for Australia’s COVID-19
vaccination program.
Australia’s leading scientists and experts from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on
Immunisation (ATAGI) and the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) have approved two
vaccines for children in Australia.
The Comirnaty (Pfizer) vaccine is approved for children aged 5 years and over. The
Spikevax (Moderna) vaccine is approved for children aged 6 years and over.
Children aged 5 to 11 years will receive a smaller dose of the vaccine than people aged 12
and over. If a child turns 12 years of age in between their 2 doses, they can receive the
larger dose for the second vaccination. Children aged 5 to 11 years should get two doses of
the vaccine, eight weeks apart.
Although most children and young people who get COVID-19 have a mild illness, some can
still get very sick. Children can also transmit the virus to others, including older family
members who are at a higher risk of getting very sick. Ensuring children are up to date with
their COVID-19 vaccinations reduces these risks.
Children who are severely immunocompromised are recommended to receive a third
primary dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, 2 months after their second dose. Children who are
severely immunocompromised are at a much higher risk of getting very sick and dying from
COVID-19. A third dose increases their protection.
If children have been infected with COVID-19, it is recommended that they wait 3 months
before receiving their next COVID-19 vaccine dose. Waiting 3 months between infection and
vaccination is likely to provide more protection from the virus for longer.
Children are able to receive vaccinations at doctors’ clinics, Aboriginal health services and
participating pharmacies. It is safe for children to receive their COVID-19 vaccine at the
same time as other vaccines, such as the flu vaccine.
Get the facts: have a yarn to your local health care worker about an
appointment today, or book now using the COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic Finder.
05 May 2022
Page 18STAY STRONGER
LIVE LONGER
DO YOUR BOWEL
SCREEN TEST TODAY
People aged 50 to 74 will receive a kit in the mail.
The test is free and will take just a few minutes at different times.
So don’t put it off until later – get it done.
Return the kit in the mail using the envelope provided. You don’t
need stamps or to pay for postage.
The results will be sent to you and your doctor within two weeks.
Supported by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Leadership Team, Metro North Hospital and Health Service
Page 19Better Together
Health Van
How to access
The Better Together Health Van is a free
the Van?
community service for Aboriginal and Torres
Visit our website for up-to-date
Strait Islander people living on the North Side locations of the Van
of Brisbane (from Brisbane River to Kilcoy), metronorth.health.qld.gov.au/
better-together-van
providing access to:
Follow our Facebook Page @
• Health promotion and education BetterTogetherHealthVan for
information on locations, upcoming
• Opportunistic health screening events, important health information
and community stories.
• An avenue to yarn with a health care provider
to provide feedback on hospital experience and Make a booking
healthcare journey If you would like to request the
Van visits your community or
• Opportunity to co-design healthcare services event, contact the Metro North
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples Leadership Team to make a booking
on (07) 3139 6621 or email
• Access to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Bettertogetherhealthvan@health.qld.
health workers and supporting health staff. gov.au
The service is owned and operated by Metro North Health. The Better Together Health Van will be utilised as an
extension of Metro North Health in creating engagement activities and developing partnerships and relationships
with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander consumers, families and community organisations.
We welcome your feedback, contributions, story ideas and details on any upcoming events.
Please contact the Manager, Communications at the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Leadership Team on A_TSIHU_MNHHS@health.qld.gov.au
or phone (07) 3139 3235.
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5/au/
© State
This of Queensland
initiative (Metro
is supported North
by the Hospital
Aboriginal and
and Health
Torres Service ) 2022
Strait Produced by the Metro North Communication Directorate Page 20
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